Days
25 Days
Arrival City
Kathmandu
Departure City
Kathmandu
Best Season
September–December · March–May
Max Altitude
5,350m
Accommodation
3-star hotel in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, tent camp/lodge/teahouse on the trek
Transportation
Private vehicle, Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Juphal domestic flights
Difficulty
Strenuous
Group Size
2–12
A 25-day restricted-area trek into Upper Dolpo, opened to tourism only in 1989 and still one of Nepal's least-visited corners, tucked between the Dhaulagiri range and the Tibetan plateau. The route runs through Shey Phoksundo National Park past the turquoise, 3,600m-deep Shey Phoksundo Lake, over the Kang La/Nangdala pass (5,350m) to the 11th-century Shey Gompa beneath Crystal Mountain, and on through the Tibetan-influenced villages of Saldang and Dho Tarap.
Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Juphal → Dunai → Phoksundo Lake → Shey Gompa → Saldang → Dho Tarap → Dunai → Juphal → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu.
A Himanshu Tours representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel.
A scenic one-hour flight to Nepalgunj, a Terai border town near Bardia National Park, with an afternoon visit to Bageshwori temple.
A 35-minute flight to Juphal, the trailhead for Dolpo, followed by a descent through maize fields and villages along the Bheri River to Dunai, the administrative capital of Dolpo.
Along the northern bank of the Bheri River to the Shey Phoksundo National Park checkpoint, then up through hemp farms and tropical forest, past waterfalls, to Chhepka village.
A quiet trail along the Phoksundo river to a traditional Amchi medicine treatment center that serves local Dolpo communities.
A climb past a 300m waterfall, said to be Nepal's highest, to the first view of Phoksundo Lake, then down through birch forest to the chorten-studded village of Ringmo.
A day exploring Ringmo village and the 900-year-old Bon monastery of Tshowa on the lakeshore, along with other monasteries around the lake.
A narrow cliff trail above Phoksundo Lake, then a forest descent to the lake's far side before a final climb to a pine-forest campsite at Sallaghari.
Along the narrow Tuk Kyaksa river valley to a wide canyon, camping at the base of the Kang La/Nangdala pass.
A steep climb over the Kang La (Nangda La) pass at 5,350m for views of Crystal Mountain and the Tibetan borderlands, then down to the ancient Shey Gompa, site of a grand festival held once every 12 years.
Exploring Shey Gompa — described in Peter Matthiessen's 'The Snow Leopard' — before crossing Shey La pass (5,100m) with views toward Mustang and Tibet, descending to Namgung.
A visit to the cliffside Namgung monastery, then a walk along the Namga Khola through summer herding grounds to the sprawling farming village of Saldang.
A day hike to Yangjer, the richest monastery in the region, with a packed lunch en route before returning to Saldang.
Along the Saldang Lek ridge and the Rapyha Khola, climbing to about 4,500m before descending to camp at the Tibetan-style village of Komash.
A comfortable trail through highland-desert terrain and small villages, with a chance of spotting blue sheep or snow leopard.
Along the Panjyang Khola past villages and monasteries to Tinje, a valley settlement with a natural airstrip.
Along the Panjyan River past the small settlement of Chhamdang to an open yak and sheep grazing ground.
A crossing of the Choila North pass (5,040m) before descending to the campsite at Tokyu.
A short walk to Dho Tarap, a large village of prayer flags, chortens and monasteries where locals resemble Tibet's Khampa people, with time to explore the surrounding gompas.
A long day following the Tarap Khola past the settlements of Sisaul, Gyamghar and Toltol to Naworpani.
Continuing along the Tarap Khola through emerging forest, past Chhedhul Gompa, to Lashicap.
Along green terraced land above the Thuli Bheri river through Tarakot, Lawan and Byasgad back to Dunai.
A short final trekking day along the Bheri river back to the Juphal airstrip.
Two connecting flights back to Kathmandu, with a farewell dinner at a Nepali cultural restaurant in the evening.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport roughly three hours before your onward flight.
This trip runs on a customizable, on-request basis — choose your own start date and we'll build the group and logistics around it.
Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Juphal → Dunai → Phoksundo Lake → Shey Gompa → Saldang → Dho Tarap → Dunai → Juphal → Nepalgunj → Kathmandu.
Every itinerary can be adjusted for extra acclimatization days, private departures, or combining with another region. Mention it in your enquiry and we'll rework the day-by-day plan accordingly.
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